What to make of the New York Philharmonic’s decision to include a concert in North Korea on its latest musical road trip?

Conductor Lorin Maazel explained: "Music is a powerful language in which those of us who are humane and intelligent can speak to each other in defiance of political and cultural boundaries.”

On the other hand, as stated at www.bloomberg.com, it’s not often that the political leaders of North Korea are described as “humane.”

So should music rise above world politics? Is the overall positive impact of the Philharmonic’s gig before North Korean elite greater than the negative? Or should music be above such questions?

And what does it say that this visit represents the largest American contingency to visit the country since the end of the Korean War?

Your thoughts?

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Notions columnist

Hetrick is that rare writer who successfully straddles journalism, advertising, public relations and social media. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Indiana University, he has been running his own ad/PR/interactive agency, Hetrick Communications, since 1994. He’s been writing IBJ’s “Notions” column since 2000. Before launching his own shop, Hetrick worked as a mayoral press secretary in Fort Wayne, as a principal and associate creative director of a $50 million New England ad/PR agency, and as head of advertising and PR for Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. He’s also a tireless public servant, a passionate advocate for a variety of causes, and has won many awards in journalism, advertising, PR and public health (including IBJ’s Health Care Heroes Award). Hetrick is the father of twin sons (one writer, one photographer), loves reading and hiking, and lives downtown with his wife, Cheri O’Neill.